WASHINGTON (CNN) - New York Rep. Charlie Rangel, a prominent supporter of Hillary Clinton, sharply criticized Republican presidential frontrunner Rudy Giuliani's personal life Monday, highlighting the fact that the former New York City mayor and his wife have each been married three times.

"Two people, six spouses. It's a little complicated if you're not religious, especially if you're running against a Mormon," Rangel told CNN's Wolf Blitzer in a reference to Giuliani's chief rival, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. For the record, Romney has only been married once.

"I think America has to look at all these things, and there are enough moles on this man that embarrasses those of us who have sought public life," the 19-term New York congressman added. "When we get involved in public life, it means we're in a goldfish bowl. It would seem to me, with all the breaks the mayor had, being involved with his personal problems, he would thank God he's gotten as far as he did go without making the politicians get involved in his personal life."

Rangel brushed aside the notion that criticizing Giuliani's personal life exposes Hillary Clinton to similar criticism. The former first lady’s own marital troubles have been well documented.

"You can say it over and over and over again. This woman got married [and] stayed married [to] the same husband. When they had problems, she stuck with him. You tell me what in her personal life is something she should be ashamed of, and I want to talk about it."

soundoff(264 Responses)

Well, Charlie Rangel did a very good job of breaking down Rudy. I think that he has hurt Rudy's chances somewhat which I think is good. Rudy was not a very good mayor and he would not make a very good president.

This is a cheap shot by Rangel that embarrasses me to be a Democrat. It's bad enough that the Republicans deem it necessary to drag personal issues into the mainstream of politics. We should rise above that 100%.

Ok, I'm a huge Hillary supporter but is this guy serious? This type of attack is hitting way below the belt. Who cares if the guy has been divorced. I'm far more concerned with the fact that the neocons who put Bush into office are now rallying to Giuliani's camp. That's something that America should know more about because personally, it scares the hell out of me.

Rangel has a lot of nerve. Has he been living under a rock for that last 20 years? The Clintons have so much mud in their past (more than all the other candidates combined!) it's not the least bit funny. Allegations of rape, embezzling, just to name a few. When did the sex lives and marital status of Congress become important all of a sudden? When Slick Willy was caught with his zipper down in the Oval Office, Democrats said that his private life wasn't any indication of his leadership qualities. So, why now do we have Rangel calling Giuliani out? Glass houses..... he's opening a can worms and I'm not even a Giuliani supporter!

At least Rudy married the women he slept with. Can't say the same in the Clinton family. Get a life. You're barking up the wrong tree if you want to talk moral values....... Talk about things the average family wants hear, like taxes, homeland security, social security, etc.......

Sick 'em I think Dems should be very careful about sending out the attack hounds on personal matters. Those kinds of things get as much blowback as anything–didn't the Petraeus/Betray Us debacle teach us anything?

Bunch of dumbasses are going to make posts about how this is a "calculated move" that exploits this and that. But deep in your hearts, all of you have to admit that this is some pro-politics. It is political art and honest passion. Its the way things should be managed.

Wow I thought all this time it was the Republicans who cherished the institution of marriage. It makes me laugh so hard when I hear conservatives criticize Hillary for making her marriage work. Say what you will about Hillary, but it takes tremendous courage and class to be humiliated on a world stage and remain publicly unfazed by it.

I think Chuck Rangel is right and appropriate in his criticism of Giuliani.

Anyone who would choose to be divorced more than once seeking the highest office in the land should be subject to more scrutiny. When the going gets tough you can't divorce America. You have to figure out how to make it work. Giuliani needs to realize this and realize it FAST.

One of, if not THE most EMBARASSING of all black leaders (puppet figure heads that ambulance chase the 'cause' of the day for the photo op) trying to pin that label on a respected (and feared by extremists on a global basis)and proven leader takes, well .... EMBARASSING HOT AIR..............

Mr. Rangel does both Giuliani and Clinton a disservice with this junk. I'm a middle of the road guy who might vote for Hillary if she's the only alternative to the far right. However, this nonsense from Rangel is the kind of idiotic shooting from the hip that feeds the right's hysteria. Is this the best he can come up with?

At least Giuliani has the decency to marry his mistresses, unlike Bill Clinton who throws them to the wolves if they ever surface to embarrass him. As for Hillary, what kind of a woman would let her husband treat her like a door-mat over and over (and over and over) again? Is her political ambition that much greater than her dignity and self-respect? If Rangel wants to help Hillary, he should remember the relationship between stones and glass houses.

you got it right sir. Hillary has been marred only once, i have never had anything immoral about her. Those people who mock her, do so because she is smart. The woman is just lovable. I cant wait January 20th 2009. Go on baby.

You do ugly well Mr. chairman of Ways and Means. How about a budget? Or does poor legistlation like the Armenian resolution thrill you. Are Democrats happy with not punishing this administration for changing WMD data taking only Scooter Libby as a sacrificial lamb. You deserve your approval rating.

Mitt and Rudy are such hypocrites. You Republicans who support them are hypocrites as well. What happened to family values and following God's word. At least Hillary has faith, and the personal strength to be with someone she loves even through hard times. It's a determinant of her strength, faith and character, and I'm glad to be voting for her in 2008!